Iceland Tourism - Travel to Iceland
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| Quick Facts | |
| Capital | Reykjavik |
| Government | constitutional republic |
| Currency | Icelandic krona (ISK) |
| Area | 103,000 sq km |
| Population | 279,384 (July 2002 est.) |
| Language | Icelandic; English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken |
| Religion | Evangelical Lutheran 87.1%, other Protestant 4.1%, Roman Catholic 1.7%, other 7.1% (2002) |
Iceland is a volcanic island in the northern Atlantic. It is a well-named territory with over 11 per cent of the country covered by glaciers.
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Regions in Iceland
Map of Iceland
Cities in Iceland
- Keflavik - Major airport and NATO air base
- Reykjavik - Capital city
Other destinations - Travel to Iceland
There are many excursions offered by tour companies and are readily available from any of the main centres such as Reykjavic and Akureyri. They will fly you around and take you on to the glaciers and to the big volcanos for a reasonable price.
Understand Iceland Tourism
Iceland is a stunningly beautiful place if you enjoy strange and desolate landscapes. Lava fields, lava tubes, plains of fractured rock, ice, fire and steam.
People in Iceland
Iceland was settled by Nordic people in the 9th century AD - tradition says that the first permanent settler was Ingólfur Arnarson, a Norwegian Viking who made his home where Reykjavík now stands. The Icelanders still basically speak the language of the Vikings. Iceland maintains another Norse tradition: the custom of using patronymics rather than surnames (an Icelander's Christian name is followed by his or her father's name and the suffix -son or -dóttir, e.g. Guðrún Pétursdóttir (Guðrún, daughter of Pétur). Members of the same family can therefore have many different "surnames", which can sometimes create confusion for visitors!
Get into Iceland
Travel to Iceland By Plane
Iceland is easly reached via air. Direct flights from New York, Boston and most major European airports are available, especially since Iceland Air uses Keflavik as a hub.
Keflavik, the island's primary airport, is about 40km from Reykjavik. The airport itself is quite barren; if you have a lengthy layover you should make sure to bring books or other entertainment.
There's a transfer bus for about 1,100Kr which takes about 45 minutes for the journey between Keflavik International and Reykjavik Internal airports. The bus does stop at various hotels on the way - just ask the driver. Another great option is to take the bus which stops at the Blue Lagoon either to or from the airport, then continues every half hour or so to Reykjavik. Be warned, a metered taxi costs about 9500 krona (roughly US$140).
Travel to Iceland By car
In theory you can go to Iceland in your own car - but Iceland being an island, you'll have to take a ferry. It's probably more economical and comfortable to rent a car on Iceland.
Travel to Iceland By Boat
It is possible to get to Iceland via boat but it takes a long time. The sea can be rough, making the trip unpleasant. Sea travel is likely not the best way to reach Iceland unless you have a vehicle that you absolutely must take with you.
The trip from England takes three days; there is a stop over on the Faroe Islands.
Get around in Iceland
Iceland Tourism By plane
Aircraft in Iceland are like buses or trains elsewhere - they're the main form of internal travel other than the roads. Be warned though, that the ride can be a bit bumpy if you're coming into one of the fjords like Akureyri.
Iceland Tourism By Car
If you are travelling by road, then a great site to check is the Iceland Meteorological Office who have an excellent set of pages including the weather and driving conditions on all of the main roads.
There are also car hire booths in the airport and you can book online in advance with most of them. Hertz especially. Hiring a car can be extremely expensive, especially for four-wheel-drives. Reportedly, renting cars on-location is cheaper than doing so in advance.
Be aware that car rentals - also at the airports - are not open around the clock.
Driving on Iceland can be difficult. A lot of the terrain is rugged and forbidding; a good four-wheel drive vehicle is essential even if you stay to the "roads" (which are rarely paved except for major routes along the coast). You will have to cross many rivers and fords, some of which can be over 4 feet (1.2m) deep - Especially if it has been raining.
Iceland Talk
Most Icelanders appear to speak English at least a little but, as is the same everywhere, it doesn't hurt to be aware of your 'please and thank yous' to make things go a little more smoothly.
Buy
Eat - Travel to Iceland
Food is no problem for Westerners in the cities, there is the usual compliment of eateries and restaurants for your delectation. Some of the hotel restaurants are very good indeed but if you're looking for a bite to eat on the move you can't really beat a 'Subway' or a very long bag of chips (fries) from the drive-through cafe near the airport in Akureyri. They are fabulous !
When you get back to your hotel then you have the usual menu items with a great fish selection wherever you go.
Drink
Alcoholic drinks are very expensive compared to the UK and USA.
Sleep - Iceland Tourism
Hotels
The hotels are usually fairly basic around the island but you can usually get a room even in August just by phoning them up and reserving it before you get there. They are very clean and well maintained, light and airy with nothing at all that could even remotely considered 'dingy'. They are expensive though.
Learn
Work
Stay safe - Iceland Tourism
Driving around Iceland can be difficult or even dangerous. Inform yourself on local conditions and make sure your vehicle and driving skills are up to the task.
Stay Healthy While You Travel to Iceland
Respect
Contact
External Links for Iceland Tourism
- Iceland Tourist Board - official website for Iceland tourism
